Washington, D.C. – Congressman Cotton (R-Dardanelle) released the following statement in observance of Memorial Day:

“Today, we honor those brave Americans who gave what Lincoln called “the last, full measure of devotion” defending our country. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Every American who died in our uniform laid down his life for us, his fellow countrymen, so that we might live in freedom.

“We cannot repay their sacrifices, nor can we fill the emptiness of their loved ones. But we can honor their memory on this day, and every day. And we can comfort their loved ones, caring for them and reminding them of the nobility of their loved one’s sacrifices.

“I served in the Army and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Between those tours, I had the honor—a solemn honor—of serving at The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Our main responsibility was military honors funerals. But every Memorial Day weekend, The Old Guard walks through the cemetery and places a flag at every gravesite—hundreds of thousands of graves. These flags are a symbolic reminder that we will never forget the sacrifices of our fallen comrades, nor the cause for which they fought. On this Memorial Day, let us all join in this memory of our valiant countrymen and celebration of our great country.”

As the school year winds down, we have another effort that is just winding up. And I want to encourage each and every one of you to be part of it.

As you may know, there are many efforts going on now to raise significant funds to substantially upgrade our campus facilities. This will help us both in the recruiting and retention of our students.

The EC Advisory Council is meeting monthly and is strategizing ways to approach individuals, corporations and foundations for strategic investments in the future of Ecclesia College. God has already blessed those efforts with the funding of a campus “master plan.” This conceptual rendering will be presented to those we believe God may be calling to partner with this ministry. Please join in praying for God’s blessing on these efforts!

Also, application has been made to a bonding effort that would allow the College to restructure its debt, saving close to $15,000 per year in interest alone. This is good stewardship and would afford us the opportunity to use those savings more effectively in campus upgrades.

And here is where you come in. EC still has to raise $92,000 to have adequate cash reserves by May 31st for the bond plan to go forward. So, on behalf of the Advisory Council, we are asking you to consider an “end of the school year” gift to Ecclesia College to help raise the needed funds.

Each member of the EC Board of Trustees has already made a gift to this effort. The Board of Regents is being asked to do the same. The Advisory Council is challenging its membership to also help lead the way. Alumni are being contacted. Now it is time for us, the faculty and staff to do join the effort.

Every gift is important, even if it is only a few dollars! They will add up and will allow us to demonstrate to the Bonding Company that a high number of our Boards, Councils, Faculty, Staff and Coaches, are “on board” with the commitment to grow this college.

If God leads you to give, here is what we would like you to do. Go to the EC website and click on the “make a donation” link. It will take you to a very easy to follow webpage for you to be able to give online. Under the “category” dropdown menu, click on “General Donation” as these gifts will be counted toward the needed funds. When you complete your donation, you will be asked to recommend a link to your Facebook page (if you have one) and it will show up on your Facebook homepage (not the amount given, just the link back to the EC online donation page).

To see what it looks like, please check out my Facebook page (Rick L. Grace). People who see the link just might be nudged by the Holy Spirit to get involved with us. In fact, several thousands of dollars have already been given online in this way!

The time is short but with God’s grace we can get there! Prayerfully consider giving a gift at this time. The future is bright for Ecclesia College as enrollment for the fall is trending upward, and with a successful finding effort, it will be just that much brighter!

I want you to know that you WILL make a difference by giving to Ecclesia College. Like a wise business investment, your donation will reap great spiritual rewards in the lives of every student who chooses to attend here. No gift is insignificant...remember the little boy that gave Jesus his two little fishes and five loaves of bread? Thousands of people were blessed that day because of his seemingly insignificant contribution.

Whether you give to our scholarship fund or a current campus construction project or simply to our general fund, please know that student lives will be impacted by your generosity. And God does not forget your faithfulness to Him as you help fellow believers.

Please know that we also value your prayers as we daily seek God’s face for direction and understanding. Thank you for supporting the ministry of Ecclesia College.

Gratefully,

Mike Novak

Director of Financial Development, Ecclesia College

Breanna Lynn Page just graduated summa cum laude
and gave the valedictorian speech.